Steveland Morris, famously known as Stevie Wonder, received Ghanaian citizenship from the country’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, during a ceremony in Accra to celebrate his 74th birthday with his family.

The iconic musician was officially presented with his new citizenship papers at Jubilee House, Ghana’s capital, solidifying his status as a dual citizen of both the United States and Ghana.

During the ceremony, Wonder expressed his profound connection to Ghana, emphasizing that he felt a strong sense of belonging and heritage in the country where he believes his civilization originated.

Raised in Michigan, Stevie Wonder has always felt a deep bond with Africa, particularly Ghana, as evidenced by his public declaration in 1975 to retire from music and settle in the West African nation.

President Akufo-Addo highlighted the significance of granting Ghanaian citizenship to Stevie Wonder, emphasizing the country’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and the unity of the African diaspora.

This act of conferring citizenship to the music legend is part of Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ initiative, which aims to encourage people of African descent to reconnect with their roots by relocating to the continent, with over 300 individuals having been granted citizenship since the program’s launch.

Notably, other prominent figures like Ludacris and Idris Elba have also embraced their African heritage by acquiring citizenship in different African countries, further strengthening the ties between the diaspora and the continent.